Surprising Turn at Tottenham: De Zerbi in Advanced Talks

A major twist in North London! Tottenham are reportedly in advanced talks with Roberto De Zerbi to immediately take over as head coach, according to the BBC, as the club finds itself in a precarious Premier League position.

Sources close to the negotiations indicate that discussions are positive and moving towards a final agreement. Initially, the 46-year-old coach's preference was to wait until the end of the season, but the Spurs are intensifying efforts to secure an immediate appointment. The London club is reportedly preparing a long-term contract for De Zerbi, who has been unattached since leaving Marseille in February.

The urgency for a new manager follows the mutual departure of Igor Tudor, who was in charge for just 44 days. The decision to dismiss the Croatian reportedly came after Sunday's 0-3 home defeat to Vítor Pereira's Nottingham Forest, although the club delayed the announcement out of respect for the coach's mourning period following his father's death.

The search for a successor now rests with CEO Vinai Venkatesham and Sporting Director Johan Lange. Tottenham currently sit 17th in the Premier League, just one point above the relegation zone occupied by Nuno Espírito Santo's West Ham, and are yet to secure a league win in 2026.

However, the potential appointment of De Zerbi, who managed Brighton for two seasons in the Premier League, is not without controversy. Several fan groups have voiced opposition due to the coach's public support for Mason Greenwood, the former Manchester United forward. Greenwood, now 24, moved to Marseille in 2023 under De Zerbi's management after charges of attempted rape and assault against him were dropped.

During his time in France, De Zerbi described Greenwood as a "good guy" who paid a "heavy price" for his past. This stance drew criticism, notably from Proud Lilywhites, the official LGBTQ+ fan group of the Spurs. "When someone in that position publicly defends a player like Mason Greenwood and does so in a way that downplays the seriousness of what happened, that's significant, not just in isolation, but for what it signals," the group stated.

While negotiations with De Zerbi continue, other names have been considered by the Tottenham board. Sean Dyche, former Nottingham Forest manager, was reportedly considered for a short-term solution, given his reputation for keeping teams in the Premier League. However, his demand for a minimum 18-month contract could be a stumbling block.

Mauricio Pochettino would be the preferred choice for many fans, but his commitments with the US national team ahead of the World Cup make an immediate return highly unlikely. Other figures with club ties, such as Ryan Mason, Harry Redknapp, Tim Sherwood, Glenn Hoddle, and Chris Hughton, would be available to take over on an interim basis, with even current player Ben Davies' name being considered.

Meanwhile, Adi Hutter, former Monaco coach, appears to have ruled himself out of the running. Speaking to Sky Sports Austria, he reiterated his intention not to return to coaching before the start of next season. "My position on this matter hasn't changed since then," he clarified.